UK visitors drive up demand for USA travel

An increase in visitors from the United Kingdom and Ireland has contributed to a record number of 34.4 million overseas visitors to the USA in 2014.

This is up eight per cent from 2013, according to the latest figures released by US under secretary of commerce for international trade, Stefan Selig.

The UK retains its position as the top overseas market for international travel to the USA (excluding Canada and Mexico) as visitation to the country increased by 3.6 per cent, rising from 3,835,308 visitors in 2013 to 3,972,655 in 2014.

Additionally, inbound travel from Ireland to the US grew to 395,037 in 2014, an increase of seven per cent from 2013.

The global marketing efforts of Brand USA, the tourism marketing organisation for the United States, have helped bring a record number of 75 million international visitors to the country in total in 2014, an increase of seven per cent over 2013.

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This includes visitors from Canada and Mexico.

Christopher Thompson, chief executive for Brand USA, said: “We are proud to see this latest increase in visitation to the United States and to be one step closer to our goal of welcoming 100 million international visitors annually to the United States by 2021.

“We are grateful for the continued support of our partners and look forward to expanding our marketing efforts in 2015 to further drive international travel to the USA.”

Brand USA’s objective is to rekindle the holidaymakers’ love affair with America – reclaiming the USA’s share of the market and positioning the country as a diverse destination with limitless experiences to be explored.

By highlighting the country as a fresh and unexpected destination, with welcoming and friendly locals, Brand USA promotes the US as the world’s premier travel destination.